Newly blind left to cope alone, research finds

Thousands of NHS patients 'abandoned' after being told they are going blind

Half of eye hospitals offer no emotional or practical help to those who are told they are going blind, with tens of thousands of people abandoned each year after being told their sight cannot be saved, according to new research.

The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) said NHS eye clinics are “full to capacity” leaving doctors and nurses with little time to discuss how patients should adapt to the loss of their sight.

Its research found that only 218 of more than 400 eye clinics and hospitals in the UK have any support staff available to provide advice about practical steps to take, or to deal with their anxieties.

The charity said every specialist hospital should have sight loss advisers so that newly diagnosed people have someone to turn to in their moment of need, and provide them with accessible information.

Less than one in ten people who were going blind were offered formal counselling after they found out they were losing their sight, their study found.

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Researchers said even the most basic information was not provided, by clinics which are struggling to cope with Britain’s ageing population.

Nearly one quarter of patients leave the hospital not knowing what eye condition they have, the study found.

Lesley-Anne Alexander, RNIB’s chief executive said: “Every 15 minutes someone in the UK starts to lose their sight but people do not always get even basic emotional and practical support at this critical time. “

The charity said it was “very concerned” that funding constraints have put these positions under threat.

Ms Alexander added: “Being told you are losing your sight can be extremely traumatic to come to terms with, and everyone reacts differently. “No one should have to face the prospect alone or without the support they need to help them through the situation.”